Western Diocese

On February 15-16, 2010, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians made a Pontifical visit to Jerusalem. The Pontiff was joined by His Eminence Archbishop Datev Karibian, Primate of the Diocese of Brazil, His Eminence Archbishop Kissag Mouradian, Primate of the Diocese of Argentina, His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese of North America, His Eminence Archbishop Vicken Aikazian, Director of the Inter-Religious Relations of the Eastern Diocese, His Eminence Archbishop Navasard Kdjoyan, Primate of the Pontifical Diocese of Ararat, His Grace Bishop Arshak Khachatryan, Chancellor of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, and Very Rev. Fr. Garegin Hambartsumyan, staff bearer.

The Pontiff was welcomed by representatives of the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem, Israeli government officials and members of the Armenian community.

After a prayer service at the Cathedral of St. James, the Pontiff delivered his message to the clergy, the seminarians and the faithful.

In the evening, the Pontiff and the clergy celebrated the 20^th anniversary of the Enthronement, 70^th anniversary of the ordination into the Priesthood and the 91^st birthday of His Beatitude Torkom Manoogian, Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem. Clergy from the Coptic, Catholic and Greek Orthodox Churches were also present during the ceremonies.

A presidential message was read during the ceremony which bestowed upon the Patriarch the "St. Mesrob Mashdots" medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the President of the Republic of Armenia. The Pontiff commended the dedicated service of the Patriarch, expressed his blessings and bestowed upon him the honorary medal.

On February 16, 2010, the Pontiff presided over the Brotherhood Meeting of St. James. Among the topics of discussion included the management and the preservation of the religious artifacts of the Armenian Church in Jerusalem as well as other issues pertaining to the Patriarchate.

The Pontiff and the clergy visited the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to pay homage to Christ, our Lord.